New Developments :: By Daymond Duck

There are new developments in some areas of Bible prophecy that should get our attention.

First, everyone that studies Bible prophecy knows that we are living in perilous times (II Tim. 3:1).

This was quite evident on Jan. 13, 2018 when the Hawaiian government issued an emergency alert: “Ballistic missile threat inbound to Hawaii. Seek immediate shelter. This is not a drill.”

This was followed by 38 minutes of terror in Hawaii. People panicked, prayed, cried, screamed, called loved ones, etc.

Praise be to God, the emergency alert was a mistake, but what if it wasn’t a mistake?

In his Facebook post, Dr. Franklin Graham asked, “What would you do if you only had 20 minutes to live? Would you call on the name of God? Would you ask for forgiveness of your sins? Would you contact your loved ones?”

The purpose of this article is not to give the reader advice (confess sins, repent, accept Jesus, buy iodine tablets, store food and water, establish a family meeting place, witness to children, grandchildren, etc.).

These are important things to do, but the purpose of this article is to remind everyone that the time to think about what to do is now.

Obviously, spiritual preparation is more important than physical preparation. But waiting until one is in a state of panic with perhaps only 20 minutes to do so is not wise.

In 2001, Israel decided to build an underground high-speed railroad from its Ben Gurion International Airport to downtown Jerusalem.

In 2016, Israel decided that many travelers will want to visit the Temple Mount when the Temple is rebuilt. For that reason, Israel made plans to extend the railroad to the Temple Mount, build a station, build 27,000 new hotel rooms by 2026, and more.

At two people per room, 27,000 new hotel rooms will handle more than 50,000 people a day over and above those who are going there now.

In May 2017, Pres. Trump became the first sitting Pres. of the U.S. to visit the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem.

On Dec. 6, 2017, Pres. Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

On Dec. 26, 2017, Israel’s Transportation Minister said the railroad will be called the King David Railroad because King David was the first to establish Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. It was also announced that the train station will be named the Donald J. Trump Station.

On Jan. 15, 2018, it was reported that Israel’s high-speed train and the Donald J. Trump Station are expected to be complete just in time for Passover (Mar. 30–Apr.7, 2018).

A spokesman for the United Temple Movement suggested that there is a need to add a second train with at least some cattle cars to transport animals for the animal sacrifices.

Only God knows when the Temple will be rebuilt, but it is exciting to read these things in the news.

Third, everyone that studies Bible prophecy knows that a war called the Battle of Gog and Magog will take place in the latter days and latter years (Ezek. 38–39).

Troops from Russia, Iran, Turkey and other nations will die on the Mountains of Israel in an attempt to wipe out the Jewish nation.

Despite warnings from Israel, Iran continues to ship powerful weapons to Syria and to build up her military forces there.

The situation has become so dangerous that Pres. Trump has reversed his position on removing U.S. troops from Syria after ISIS is finally defeated. Mr. Trump now intends to keep America’s bases and troops in Syria.

It also seems significant that Pres. Trump has now said that he has re-certified the Iranian nuclear deal for the last time. He has warned that it must be changed or he will let it expire when it comes up for renewal in May.

How the presence of American troops and bases in Syria and the expiration of the Iranian nuclear deal will impact the Battle of Gog and Magog remains to be seen.

Fourth, everyone that studies Bible prophecy knows that there will eventually be a peace agreement between Israel and the PA. But the PA is refusing to work with Pres. Trump.

In mid-Jan, Pres. Trump cut U.S. contributions to the UNRWA that were destined for the PA by $65 million. A few days later, he cut food aid contributions to the UNRWA by $40 million.

On Jan. 20-21, 2018, Pres. Trump asked the Egyptians and Jordanians to deliver a strong warning to the PA to start cooperating on the peace negotiations or he will really make things hard on them.

In conclusion, know that God puts leaders in office to do His will. The prophetic situation in the Middle East is changing and it will turn out exactly the way the Word of God says.